Posts filed under 'Fair Housing'
Round Rock firm falsely promised home ownership, suit says
By Juan Castillo
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
A Round Rock-based real estate firm defrauded homebuyers by falsely promising them ownership when the houses were actually owned by the firm’s owner and his wife, the state attorney general’s office said Wednesday.
In a lawsuit filed in Travis County, Attorney General Greg Abbott alleges that Fern Hernandez Realty Inc.; its owner, licensed real estate broker Jose Fernando “Fern” Hernandez; and his wife, Odessa S. Hernandez of Georgetown; participated in a scam that targeted Spanish-speaking homebuyers.
Jose Fernando Hernandez declined to comment Wednesday.
State investigators said Hernandez advertised his brokerage services on Spanish-language television and radio. Fern Hernandez Realty sometimes did business as Su Casa el Sueño Americano, which means “your house the American dream.”
Add comment October 30, 2009
Housing group alleges bias by town of Sunnyvale | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News | Mesquite News
Posted using ShareThis
Add comment October 28, 2009
Obama Administration to Ensure Inclusion of the LGBT Community in HUD Programs
WASHINGTON – U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan today announced a series of proposals to ensure that HUD’s core housing programs are open to all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
“The evidence is clear that some are denied the opportunity to make housing choices in our nation based on who they are and that must end,” said Donovan. “President Obama and I are determined that a qualified individual and family will not be denied housing choice based on sexual orientation or gender identity.”
2 comments October 22, 2009
$600,000 Settlement Ends Discriminatory Policies at Housing Complex for Persons with Disabilities
$600,000 Settlement Ends Discriminatory Policies at Housing Complex for Persons with Disabilities
Shared via AddThis
2 comments October 7, 2009
HUD Charges Texas Landlord with Housing Discrimination
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today announced that it is charging a Wichita Falls, Texas landlord with violating the Fair Housing Act by publishing advertisements that discriminate against families with children. HUD alleges landlord Kay Rios posted a classified ad in a local real estate publication that read “no drugs, no pets, no children.”
The Fair Housing Act prohibits landlords from discriminating based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability and familial status. This includes publishing print, broadcast or internet advertisements that indicate a preference or otherwise discriminates against families with children.
“Families with children have every legal right to rent a home as do those without children,” said John Trasviña, HUD’s Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. “This case should remind every landlord that the Fair Housing Act is very clear – it’s against the law to deny a person or family housing in this country simply because they have children.”
The Austin Tenants’ Council filed a complaint with HUD alleging Rios violated the Fair Housing Act. The HUD charge will be heard by a United States Administrative Law Judge unless any party to the charge elects to have the case heard in federal district court. If an administrative law judge finds that discrimination has occurred, he or she may award damages to the complainant for its loss as a result of the discrimination. The judge may also order injunctive relief and other equitable relief to deter further discrimination, as well as payment of attorney fees.
Add comment October 2, 2009
Dallas woman fuming over smoking neighbor at complex
By SCOTT FARWELL / The Dallas Morning News
In an age when smoking has been outlawed in most public places – government buildings, bars and pool halls – a person’s home is one of the few places you can puff in peace.
Until now.
A Dallas woman has filed a lawsuit seeking six figures from a former neighbor and landlord for damage she says was caused by cigarette smoke wafting through adjoining walls of her high-end townhome.
Add comment September 30, 2009
Insurer fined over discount for religious
FRANKFORT, Ky., Sept. 20 (UPI) — An insurance company discriminated by offering special benefits and discounts only to “churchgoers” and “persons of faith,” the U.S. Justice Department said.
Under a settlement, awaiting court approval, GuideOne Mutual Insurance Company of Des Moines, Iowa, and two of its agents must pay about $10,000 to each of three victims of religious discrimination, the department said Friday. In addition, the companies must pay a $45,000 civil penalty to the federal government.
Add comment September 22, 2009
Justice Department to Recharge Enforcement of Civil Rights
WASHINGTON — Seven months after taking office, Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. is reshaping the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division by pushing it back into some of the most important areas of American political life, including voting rights, housing, employment, bank lending practices and redistricting after the 2010 census.
As part of this shift, the Obama administration is planning a major revival of high-impact civil rights enforcement against policies, in areas ranging from housing to hiring, where statistics show that minorities fare disproportionately poorly. President George W. Bush’s appointees had discouraged such tactics, preferring to focus on individual cases in which there is evidence of intentional discrimination.
Add comment September 1, 2009
HUD and the City of El Paso Agree to Increase Accessible Housing
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Housing Authority of the City of El Paso (HACEP), Texas, signed an agreement that will create at least 289 accessible housing units for persons with disabilities. The voluntary agreement will make at least five percent of the El Paso Housing Authority’s housing stock fully accessible.
The Agreement stems from an April, 2008 HUD review that included an accessibility inspection of housing units, administrative offices and common areas, and an analysis of the agency’s policies and procedures. HUD also reviewed management of applicant waiting lists, applications, maintenance records, and reasonable accommodation requests.
Add comment July 30, 2009
Austin-Area Establishments Face Lawsuit
Four Austin clubs and restaurants face civil suits over their compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. KVUE’s Elise Hu reports.
Add comment July 28, 2009
